Sunday, December 12, 2010

NEUTRAL CORNER: SINATRA AND BOXING!

NEUTRAL CORNER: SINATRA AND BOXING!

THERE’S A NICE PIECE ON SINATRA AND BOXING BY ED WALTERS OVER AT BLUE EYES.COM . . .

I have been asked about the big boxing matches we have had here in Vegas and did Sinatra go to them. The person asking wanted to know if Sinatra was a big fan of boxing.

Yes, he was. He followed it and was very knowledgeable about it. In fact, I would say an expert on it. He talked about the big fights he has seen and it seems he has seen them all.

During the Sands years, I remember Sinatra going down to the Thunderbird to watch Liston train. Frank talked about that. Also when Clay stopped by Liston’s training camp and caused a stir. The whole town talked about it.

Liston was the most feared man in boxing at the time. Some guys in Vegas had some pieces of him so there was a lot of interest in him. All the guys in the casino were talking about Liston killing Clay if they would ever fight. Liston was at the time training for another fight.

The guys were talking about Clay coming to Liston’s camp and making a fool of himself.

Frank went with it all, but later with very few around he tells us in the pit. “You know, I saw them together, this kid Clay is as tall or taller than Liston. I mean he’s bigger than him and he ain’t afraid. This kid thinks he can win.”

The rest is history.

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